Of course, the Human Race's current foundation was far stronger than it had been in the past. The Star Boundary and the Myriad Monster World—two cradles for producing Open Heaven Realm cultivators—along with Yang Kai's own Small Universe, had given birth to numerous prodigies of exceptional talent. According to statistics, over the past several thousand years, nearly a thousand promising seeds had directly advanced to the Seventh Order Open Heaven Realm.
On average, that meant at least one appeared every decade, sometimes even two or three.
And every single one of them had the potential to reach the Ninth Order. In the past, one wouldn't have dared to dream of so many Ninth Order prospects. Any Cave Heaven or Blessing Land that produced such a talent would have treasured them as priceless treasures, pouring every resource in their Sect into their cultivation.
Now, roughly eighty percent of these direct-advancement Seventh Order prodigies had already broken through to the Eighth Order. The earliest batch had all reached the peak of the Eighth Order.
These rising stars represented the future hope of the Human Race. Once this new generation began producing Ninth Order masters, the Human Race's ranks of Ninth Order cultivators would grow in an endless stream. Never mind restoring the grand formation of over a hundred Ninth Order masters from the old days—surpassing that number was well within reach.
While several Ninth Order masters reminisced about the past, Yang Kai was busy imparting certain concepts to A Da and A Er.
Because they wished to chase down the fleeing enemies, the two colossal beings had shrunk their forms. Though they still resembled two small hills, they were far smaller than their true sizes.
Yang Kai wore an expression of earnest patience as he looked at the two simpletons and said, "Remember? You are not to go anywhere. Just stay here and wait. If the other side opens the gate, you pound them! Beat them back!"
A Da and A Er both stared at him blankly, their large eyes fixed on his in a moment of mutual incomprehension. The atmosphere grew awkward.
Just as Yang Kai was about to repeat himself, A Da suddenly nodded and rumbled, "Remembered."
Yang Kai's heart swelled with relief!
A Er added, "You're so annoying, you've said it so many times already..."
*That's because I was afraid you wouldn't understand!* Yang Kai couldn't help but roll his eyes.
A Da suddenly plopped down on his haunches and rubbed his belly. "Hungry!"
A Er nodded as well. "Hungry!"
Yang Kai's head ached. He glanced sideways at A Da with a look of bewilderment.
It would make sense for A Er to be hungry. After all, that one had fought the Ink-colored Giant Spirit God in the Void for thousands of years—an immense expenditure of energy. Going hungry after such prolonged combat was perfectly understandable.
But what right did A Da have to be hungry? It had been in slumber the entire time, only released by Xiao Xiao in recent years. Its life consisted of eating when full, sleeping, then waking to eat again...
Yang Kai rubbed his temples. "Bear with it a bit. I'll think of something."
The Giant Spirit God race had always fed on dead Universes, but where in the Thirty Thousand Worlds could one find dead Universes now? Most of the Great Domains across the Thirty Thousand Worlds had been emptied out. Even the few remaining Universes that still existed had been tainted by the Ink Force—which, for the Giant Spirit Gods, was like having fine cuisine doused with filth. How could they stomach that?
The only place one might still find dead Universes was the New Great Domain of old—what was now the Myriad Monster Domain. There were many Universe Worlds there, many of which had never developed life and whose Heavenly Laws were incomplete. Perhaps those could fill A Da and A Er's bellies.
After thinking it over, Yang Kai added, "Let me tell you—the Ink Clan has made a complete mess of the Thirty Thousand Worlds. All the Universes have been destroyed. In the future, you'll probably have a hard time finding anything to eat."
A Da and A Er immediately wore expressions of fury.
Yang Kai continued, "So if you don't want to go hungry, you need to deal with the Ink Clan first. Once we've finished off the Ink Clan, I'll take you deep into the Ink Battlefield. Out there in the void, there are countless Universes—you can eat as much as you want."
The two Giant Spirit Gods' fury instantly transformed into longing. A Da even smacked his lips.
A Er's expression turned resolute as he rumbled, "Kill Ink Clan!"
Yang Kai nodded in satisfaction. "That's right—kill the Ink Clan. Turn their world upside down and wipe them out completely!"
He reminded them once more to stay put and not let a single Ink Clan member slip past, then finally ended the conversation, his heart thoroughly exhausted.
The Ninth Order masters had stopped chatting as well, standing to the side and quietly watching him.
When Yang Kai flashed over to them, he found their expressions rather peculiar.
Xiao Xiao chuckled softly, "The way you were just now—you looked like some kind of villain, coaxing children with candied hawthorns."
Yang Kai glared at her without good humor. "You think everyone's like you?"
He still remembered clearly. Back when he had traveled to the Yin-Yang Pass and encountered Xiao Xiao during her reincarnation while severely wounded, she had looked exactly like a child. Candied hawthorns and steamed buns had been her favorites.
Xiao Xiao let out a cold humph. "Spread your wings, have you? Back then you called me 'Ancestor' with all sorts of warmth and affection, and now you dare talk to me like this?"
As she spoke, she reached out to grab Yang Kai's ear.